# Turkey

/ˈtɝki/ (US) · /tˈɜːki/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/turkey
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the bird

noun · CEFR A1

a large bird with a bald head and a fan-shaped tail.

For teachers: a large galliform bird of the genus Meleagris, native to North America.

- The farmer raised a flock of turkeys for the autumn market.
- Wild turkeys are surprisingly agile flyers, unlike their domesticated counterparts which are bred primarily for size and meat production.

### 2. the meat

noun · CEFR A1

the meat from a turkey, often served at big family meals.

For teachers: the flesh of the turkey used as food, typically roasted whole.

- We had roast turkey and mashed potatoes for dinner.
- Leftover turkey can be used in sandwiches, soups, or stews for several days after the holiday feast.

### 3. the country

noun · CEFR A2

a country located between Europe and Asia, now officially called Türkiye.

For teachers: a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.

- Many people visit Turkey to see the historic sites in Istanbul.
- The Republic of Turkey officially requested that the international community use the name Türkiye to better represent its culture and values.

Teaching tip: While 'Turkey' is the traditional English name, the official name is now 'Türkiye'; learners should be aware of both forms.

### 4. a foolish person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · American English

a person who is silly, foolish, or makes mistakes.

For teachers: a person who is considered inept, stupid, or foolish.

- Don't be such a turkey and just follow the instructions.
- He felt like a total turkey after realizing he had been wearing his shirt inside out all afternoon.

### 5. a failure

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

something that fails completely, like a bad movie or play.

For teachers: a theatrical production, film, or commercial venture that is a complete failure.

- The new sci-fi movie was a real turkey and lost millions of dollars.
- Despite a massive marketing budget and a star-studded cast, the play turned out to be a turkey and closed after only three nights.

### 6. bowling

noun · CEFR B2

three strikes in a row in a game of bowling.

For teachers: the achievement of three consecutive strikes in a single game of ten-pin bowling.

- He was so excited when he finally bowled a turkey in the final frame.
- Achieving a turkey early in the game gave her a significant points advantage over the other competitors.

### 7. faking illness

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

a patient who pretends to be sick when they are actually fine.

For teachers: a patient who feigns or exaggerates symptoms, often to obtain drugs or avoid work.

- The nurse suspected the man was a turkey just looking for a bed for the night.
- In emergency room slang, a turkey is someone who presents with vague symptoms but has no underlying clinical pathology.

Teaching tip: This is very specific medical jargon; it is often derogatory and should be used with caution.

## Examples

- We are having roast turkey for dinner tonight.
- The family gathered to prepare a traditional stuffed turkey for their annual holiday celebration.
- While the domesticated turkey is prized for its meat, its wild ancestors are known for their surprising agility and complex social hierarchies within forest ecosystems.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.